I’m comfortable admitting to you that I’m mildly funny, and even if I’m wrong about that, I’m confident that I’m funnier than Pauly Shore. That’s not admitting much, but in terms of my comedic skills I’m willing to go out on a ledge and suggest that I may be funnier than Adam Sandler.
I’ve since been thinking about how my humble musical skills match up with the pros. Excluding Sid Vicious, how far out on a ledge am I willing to go in admitting that I think I’m a better musician (amateur guitarist/songwriter, specifically, in my case) than someone well known? In all fairness, I will not claim to be “better” than any artists whose music I despise yet acknowledge displays superior skills. I am not willing to admit that I’m better than anyone in Journey, for instance. Musically better, that is.
As a guitarist, I am comfortable admitting to you that I’m – at the top of my game – “capable of playing within my means.” I’m confidant that I’m a better guitarist than anyone in The Shaggs. That’s not admitting much, but in terms of my guitar skills, I wonder if I’m technically better than one of my heroes, Joe Strummer. As a guitarist, I must stress!
How about you? Admit it: regardless of your instrument and your level of skill, what’s the furthest out you’ll go in suggesting that you top the musicianship of a well-known musician? Is there some musician more accomplished than a musical Pauly Shore that you think you can edge out in terms of talent?
If you’re going to answer this hard-hitting question, please don’t cop out on us. Admit it.
Hmm, I play bass and sing. I can’t think of anyone who I could confidently say I play bass better than. I can say with all the confidence in the world I am a better singer than that white guy with dreadlocks in Counting Crows. Move aside hippie, gimme the GD Mic! Oh, I’m also a better harmonica player than Alanis Morrisette.
This will be fun to watch. As an end-of-the bed guitar strummer I’m strictly a spectator here.
It would be even more fun if you didn’t cop out on us, mikeydread. Admit it, you may be a better guitarist than Paul Simonon is – as a guitarist.
I like to think that I’m a better bassist than Michael Anthony. I could be way wrong there, but I like to think it.
Plus, I like to take every chance I can get to make fun of poor Michael Anthony.
I’m a better singer than Anthony Keidis, or whatever his name is. I can at least find the key of the song.
TB
I’m a better bass player than Adam Clayton. He has more skilled hair.
Mockarr stole my answer!
Mssr Mod, let me say that Neil Schon might be able to shred circles around you, but you clearly have much more integrity then him because your music, while probably not shifting quite as many units as his, is catchy and well written as opposed to pandering and treacley. It is this choice that you have made (to forego a life of riches and rock and roll excess in favor of beauty and truth) that gives you moral superiority to him and thus makes you a “better person”.
As for me: Maybe this is a little different fro what is being asked, but I think I mentioned in the Rick Wright Eulogy post that the highest profile guitarist who I am least intimidated by is David Gilmore. I like him playing well enough and it is perfectly suited for the Floyd. But if I got a phone call from Nick Mason saying that he needed me to fill in for a few dates, I’m pretty sure all I would need is a Strat, and digital delay and couple weeks off to work through the songs. This is not to say that I’m a good guitar player (I’m a bit of a hack, actually) or that I’m as good as he is. It’s just that the parts in a Floyd song see totally doable.
Far fewer people despise me than Michael Bolton, but my goal is to catch up.
cdm, as some of you are well too aware by my daily ramblings, when it comes to “moral superiority” over better-known musicians I’ve got it in spades:)
Your targeting David Gilmour is PERFECT for what we’re getting at here. Bravo for aiming relatively high!
I can see us eventually compiling an all-star band composed of well-known musicians almost anyone with a modicum of musical talent can say he or she is better than: Anthony Kiedis and Adam Clayton are a great foundation.
We’re going to need more memory for the guys MrClean is better than. I’m hoping he at least kicks the guy from KISS off his throne. Don’t know what name or animal face he is.
I’m a better drummer than that disaster of a player in Band Of Horses. But I wouldn’t want to be in that band anyway.
I’m a better bass player than Peter Tork.
I’m also:
Sexier than Leslie West
Stronger than Tina Weymouth
Darker than Johnny Winter
Smaller than Tommy Lee
Taller than all the Undertones combined
Classier than Kanye West
But only AS creepy as Bill Wyman
Talk about false modesty… You are MUCH creepier than Bill Wyman.
I’m a better drummer than Meg White, though she has a couple of things that I lack.
Meg White, welcome to the All-Star Worse Than You Band! Your bandmates, to date, are Anthony Kiedis and Adam Clayon.
I am a much better dummer than Chickenfrank and Mr Mod
Now you funny too, andyr. COP OUT!
With the reissues getting a lot of press, this Lennon quote has been making the rounds.
When asked if he thought Ringo was the best drummer in the world, John quipped that he’s not even the best drummer in The Beatles.
I wasn’t summoned was I? Just called out?
I’m a better drummer than chickenfrank but Sethro is a better drummer FOR Nixon’s head than I am. I’m a better drummer for the Dead Milkmen than he would be.
I kinda get what you’re driving at Mr. Mod but it seems to me some musicians are sometimes “right” for the job. Like Michael Anthony is at the right level intellectually for the job?
What I’m driving at is seeing if I can get anyone to admit, deep down, whether there’s a pro musician they may sometimes think they’re “better” than. I don’t really care if it’s true; I’m mostly curious to know how we think we stack up in our respective semi-fantasy worlds. You, mrclean, have seen beyond the foothills of rock more than most if not all Townspeople, but I’m wondering if – to this day – you harbor some twisted thought that you’re a better drummer in your general style than, I don’t know, Ian Paice:)
I dunno, Ian’s probably pretty good. This is still a question I have not really ever thought about. I suppose I’d say I’d be at least as good or better than some non double kick drum hard rock/metal bands. That stuff is generally pretty slow and easy to play. Gee, is that vague enough for you? 😉
(If you’re interested in drummers I’d love to be as good as: Pete Thomas and Clem Burke)
That’s cool, if you’ve never harbored some weird thought like this, mrclean. I know not all music-playing Townspeople share all my issues. Thomas and Burke are definitely high marks to aim for! Your own playing has always been aces in my book.
I can’t play a lick, but I write better song lyrics than Bob Dylan did at my age (1986-88).
i am a WAY better rhythm guitarist than Mick Jagger, Roger Daultry and Simon LeBon.
i am a better singer than Daniel Johnston, Gordon Gano, and Jandek.
I am a better harmonica player than Alanis Morissette.
I’m a better guitar player than that guy in Poison.
Mr. Clean – when you are as good as Clem Burke or Pete Thomas please come to Atlanta and join my band!
Okay, I’ll own it. A better singer than Paul Simenon. Guns of Brixton? Ha!
I gave this some thought, and have decided that I am a better rock critic than Jim DeRogatis.
David Gilmour doesn’t shred guitar by any means but I think some mistake his economy for lack of chops. It may be that he doesn’t have the chops but what makes Gilmour great is what he doesn’t play. So one might have more chops than Gilmour but might not have the same ability to feel when not to play and that’s where his chops lie.
Even before I learned the itty-bitty amount of guitar that I know, I was better than Germs era Pat Smear and that guy from JFA.